"Hangman" Adam Page is facing a career crossroads in AEW that could diverge significantly from the path taken by Cody Rhodes, who experienced creative limitations after a similar stipulation.
Both Page and Rhodes are unique in AEW history for having lost matches with a stipulation preventing them from challenging for the world championship again. For Rhodes, this stipulation, enacted in 2019 during the early stages of AEW, created pressure and repercussions that he worried would define his championship aspirations. He instead focused on the TNT Championship, holding it three times.
This creative restriction eventually left Rhodes with limited avenues for advancement within AEW. Some of his subsequent feuds, reportedly stemming from personal issues, did not resonate with audiences. At the time, AEW had fewer main event-level stars, and the audience began to call for a heel turn that never materialized before Rhodes departed for WWE.
Page's current situation, where he also cannot challenge for the world title, presents an opportunity to avoid a similar creative stall. The company now boasts a larger roster of main event talent, and Page's artistic direction may be less stifled compared to Rhodes' experience.